Library consultancy

1. Library consultant: Greensprings School,
Lagos, Nigeria , 2009 – 2010
Brief: in a 12 week contract develop
existing libraries at Anthony and Lekki
campuses. Establish an International
Baccalaureate library at Lekki campus

3. Driver
Isiah

4.  Population in dispute, 15.5 million or ? See
wikipedia
 People: 12 main tribes and languages (240
officially), predominantly Yoruba
 Religions: most common- Christian/Catholic,
Muslim, tribal variations and juju
 Politics: anything goes coups, militarism, wars
and an attempt at belated democracy….
 Weather: November-February, hamatton season-
cool dry winds average temps 30’s upwards,
humidity high
 Famous musician Fela Kuti, songs of justice and
and freedom

7. Greeting the day at 5am to
 A cackling cacophony: turkeys belonging to
chef neighbour
 Muslim prayer call floating across the jungle
 Christian singing and prayer behind the wall,
female minister and her husband

10.  Original site, school role 1200 pupils, pre-
school Montessori to Year 12
 Librarians: 1 manager, 1 teacher, 3 library
assistants

11.  New site 2006: school role 1200 pupils pre-
school Montessori to Year 12, senior boarding
facilities
 Library: 1 teacher, 1 librarian, 2 library
assistants – Joseph, Phillip, Elijah, Esiwo

12.  Then: Library = class visits to borrow a book
 Now: Staff training, job descriptions
 Inquiry learning, link curriculum, class topics
 Web 2 tools
 Library handbook
 Mission statement, library plan and policies
 Search star catalogue
 Library webpage, campus link between Lekki
& Anthony

13. Planning December 2009
Established January 2010

14.  Language: understanding pidgin, Yoruba
 Communication: clarity/comprehension in
instructions- yes ma, no ma, you the boss ma-
translates, I really don’t understand, but mustn’t
lose face
 Juju at school and in the community
 Sourcing resources with limited web connection
 Conversions: US dollars, British pounds, Nigerian
niara for library resources
 Humidity in IB library

16.  Student/staff appreciation of developments and
a new IB library linked to the outside world
 Outstanding IT department
 Great English departments
 Xmas show at Anthony

18.  People – hard to leave new friends
 Markets
 Tailors – dressmakers
 Hairdressers who love to add ‘expression’
 Badagry slave post
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic
/48405/Badagry

19. Well of madness
Point of no return

22.  Road blocks where police check your credentials
and search your vehicle for human heads
 Travelling: providing a bribe picnic basket of beer,
food and small change (hiding cash and valuables)
 Driving to distant cities and encountering
stickmen intent on kidnapping, ransom or theft
and murder
 Avoiding village Oru (pacifying the spirits after
villagers deaths) – anyone seen out after dark will
disappear

23. Village children
playing Oru

25. Carpe diem
Go today!